Heat exchanger



G. HJ LlFUR HEAT EXCHANGER May 20, 1930.

Filed Aug. 5, 1927 A TTORNEY.

Patented May I20, 1930 PATE-NT OFFICE GREGORY Hf'. LIFUR, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

l HEAT EXCHANGER Application led. August 3, 1327. Serial No. 210,297.

so arranged that the tubes may be rendered accessible for cleaning without in any way involving al disconnecting of the structure from the flow circuits in which it is connecte'd.

.A further object of the invention is to provide a heat exchanger having a tube plate which functions as an end of the circulation chamber containing the tubes, and which at t-he same time permits a thermal expansion or contraction of the tubes.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which will be set forth in the following'description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the exchanger on the broken line 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are sectional views taken v vrespectively at lines 3-3 and 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the device.

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged fragmentary views articularly designed to show a tube plate orming part of the invention in different operative positions.

As illustrated in the figures, the heat exchanger of my invention comprises a cylindrical shell 11 in which is mounted a plurality of tubes 12. Support for the tubes is provided by fixing their extremities in tube plates 13 and 14 mounted on outwardly extendin anges 16 and 17 provided at opposite enn s of the shell. Preferably, the shell 'intake and outlet manifolds.

is cylindrical and the flanges 16 and 17 are annular, with the tube plates iixed to the respective flanges as by bolts 18 and 19, it being noted that the tube plates are thus arranged to cooperate with the shell to define a closed 51 chamber 21 surrounding the tubes. Inlet and outlet pipes 22 and 23 for the chamber 21 are provided, such pipes being preferably diametrically related .and horizontally disposed, as shown.

Means are provided for insuring an even distribution and discharge of incoming and outgoing' fluid to and from the chamber 21, and as here shown, such means comprises the provision ofpassages 24 and 26 within the 65 shell connected with the pipes 22 and 23 respectively, and extending the full length of the shell. The passages 24 and 26 are most simply defined by means of partitions havingvertical and horizontal ortions 28 and 29 70' respectively, which portlons cooperate with the. shell wall to form the passages 24 and 26 as of generally triangular sect-ion. 'Formed in the partition portions 28 are perforations 31, such perforations being here shown in the form of vertical slits, it being-noted thatfthe` slits are so spaced and proportioned that the flow ,of fluid' therethrough and across the chamber will be equal along the length of the chamber, and it being further noted that S0 the structures thus provided are in effect To further increase the eliciency of the device, baffles 32 are provided,`such baliles being carried by and between the tube plates in any suitable manner and being so disposed that the Huid follows a zig-zag course downwardly from the inletto the outlet. As here shown, the baffles.

32 are horizontally disposed and extend alternately from opposed sides of the shell. In this manner, an even and maximum circulation of fluid is assured through the chamber,

las all dead s 'aces or pockets are avoided.

Toprovi e for the circulation of the second fluid through the tubes 12, heads 33 and 95 34 are utilized at the different ends of the structure, such heads lying outwardly of the tube plates-13 and 14, respectively, to cooperate therewith'to define distribution chambers 36 and 37 at the ends of the tubes. The lo.

head 33, it will be noted, is secured in position by means of the bolts 18', and the chamber 36 is arranged to provide both for the inlet and outlet of fluid for circulation through the tubes 12. Formed in the plate 13 adjacent the top and bottom thereof, are openings 38 and 39 respectively, such openings communicating with chamber 36 to provide for the flow of fluid into and out of the chamber. To insure a flow of liquid through the tubes as it passes between the openings 38 and 39, the chamber 36 is provided with horizontal partitions 41 carried by the head 33 and staggeredly related to a horizontal par-l tition 42 provided in chamber 37 and carried by the head 34, it being obvious that the numters Patent of the United States the follow-- ber of partitions 41 and 42 is immaterial,

vprovided only that there be one more of the a' free end thereof extending outwardly :of

the shell. In this manner, removal of the head 33 may be effected without disturbing .any of the pipe connections to the apparatus, and access to the tubes for inspection orl cleaning is readily effected, it being noted that the head 34 is likewise removable for the same purpose.

The tubes ,'12, are threaded or otherwise set in the tube plates to provide tight joints thereat. But, owing to the variations in temperature which the .tubes may undergo, it is necessary to provide for the thermal expansion or contraction thereof and at the same time not interfere with the function of the tube plates. Owing to the desirably fixed relation'of conduits 43 and 44 in the openings 38 and 39 of plate 13, the necessary means to accomplish the'thermal expansion or contraction is preferably provided in connection with plate 14; such means comprising -the provision for a displacement of the inner portion ofplate 14 with respect to the fixed edge or rim thereof. The head'34, it will be noted, is circular and is somewhat smaller than is the plate 14 and is secured to the latter by means of a series of bolts 46 around the'edge thereof. The portion 47 of plate 14 between the edge of the head 34 and the line of bolts 18 is made very much thinner than is`the remaining portions of the plate `14, so that when expansion or contraction of the tubes occurs, the central plateportion carrying the head 34 and tubes may become offset -out of its normal' plane, and buckling and loosening of the tubes is thus avoided. It will be noted that the normal position and a displaced position of the plate 14 are shown in Figures 6 and 7, the displacement being,

brine is circulated therethrough or there` about, the plate 14 is displaced in the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 7. The flange 17 is recessed as at 17 to allow the tube plate to be drawn inwardly.

The apparatus hereinbefore described may be used both with liquids and gases with equal readiness, and the directions of flow of the fluids in the independent fluid circuits provided therethrough are determinedI primarily by the conditions to be met in connection with the fluids and are independent of the structure of the exchanger.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Leting:

1. In a heat exchanger, a body providing a fluid circulation chamber, tube plates vdefining the ends of said chamber, tubes extending through and between said plates, heads dis` posed outwardly of said tube plates and cooperating therewith to define fluid distribution chambers communicating with said tubes, one of said tube plates being provided with an inlet opening for the adjacent distributionfV plates and cooperating therewith to define.

fluid distribution chambers communicating with said tubes, one of said tube plates being provided with an outlet opening for the adjacent distribution chamber whereby a fluid may flow from said chamber. l

3. In a heat exchanger, a body *providing a fluid circulation chamber, tube plates defining the ends of said chamber, tubes extending through and between said plates, heads disposed outwardly of said tube plates and cooperating therewith to define fluid distribution chambers communicating -with said tubes, one of said tube plates being provided with inlet and outlet openings forthe adjacent distributing chamber whereby a fluid lstream may be caused to flow through said chamber, and means in said last chamber operative to effect a flow of liquid through said i 5. In a heat exchanger, a body providing a fluid circulation lchamber, tube plates -dening the ends of said chamber, tubes extendv of, tubes extendin ing through and between said plates, heads cooperating with said tube plates to define distribution chambers communicating with said tubes, and inlet and outlet conduits each passing through said first chamber and a tube plate into the distribution chamber adjacent the plate.

6. In a heat exchanger, chamber, tube plates secured to said body and closing the ends of the chamber, one of 'said plates having a central portion thereof arranged for transversedeection with respect to its rim portion and the other of said plates being substantially rigid transversely therethrough and between central portions of sa1d plates and fixed thereto, a head mounted on said central portion of said first plate to define therewith a closed distributing chamber communicating with said tubes, a head cooperative with said second plate to define a second distributing chamber communicating with said tubes, and

\ inlet and outlet conduits for said last distributing chamber, said conduits providing the sole external connections for said chambers and tubes,

In testimony whereof, I alixmy signature.

GREGORY H. LIFUR.

a-body providing a 

